ALASKA COURT RULES

(A) there is a good reason for the failure to respond or appear and the defendant has a meritorious defense to the offense charged, or (B) the proceedings were not fair to the defendant because the defendant did not receive notice of the charge or the procedure for responding to the charge or that a default judgment would be entered if defendant did not respond to the charge. (2) If the judgment is vacated, the case must be set for trial unless the prosecution dismisses the case or, if the offense is correctable, the defendant shows proof of compliance with the law. (h) Authority of Clerk. (1) The clerk is authorized to enter judgments of conviction when a defendant mails or delivers to the clerk a plea of no contest, payment of the fine without a plea, fails to respond to a citation or summons, or fails to appear for trial. (2) The clerk is authorized to enter a judgment of conviction when a municipality files a request and affidavit for entry of judgment under Rule 5.1. (3) After entry of a judgment of conviction, the clerk may, upon request of the defendant, approve deferral of payment of the fine and surcharge for up to six months from the date of the request. This request does not need to be served on the prosecution.